** This challenge was heard alongside, but (outside of Supreme Court proceedings) not generally consolidated with, Caster v. Merrill **

A federal court challenge to Alabama’s congressional districts, alleging that race unjustifiably predominated in the packing of one congressional district, and that the consequent dilution of other Black communities’ voting strength violates the VRA. 

On Jan. 24, 2022, the three-judge trial court granted a preliminary injunction, finding the plaintiffs likely to prevail on their VRA claim (and reserving ruling on the constitutional claim).  The court also postponed the 2022 qualification deadline, to give the legislature time to draw a remedial map.  On Feb. 7, 2022, the Supreme Court stayed the injunction and granted certiorari before judgment.  On June 8, 2023, the Supreme Court affirmed the trial court — and in the process, preserved precedent on the appropriate interpretation of the Voting Rights Act.

On remand, the state drew a new congressional plan on July 21, 2023; the three-judge trial court rejected that plan on Sept. 5, 2023, and directed a special master to draw a remedial map.  On Oct. 5, 2023, the court ordered the implementation of one of the remedial maps recommended by the special master.  These rulings are all pursuant to a preliminary injunction, not a final judgment.

On Jan. 31, 2024, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint alleging that the state’s 2023 enacted map violates the VRA and was the product of intentional racial discrimination.